Apparatus for automatically sealing cartons



`| NIW" 8 Sheets-Sheet l Hl" El MIU" 1.45m Il mrlfllll.

JY A. MILLER ET AL- APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY SEALING CARTONS Nov. 28, 1967 Original Filed Nov. 6, 1961 INVENTORS H MILLER UGLINSKI ATTO EVS Jose-.PH

FRANK Q. KR

Nov. 28, 1967 J. A. MILLER ET AL 3,354,606

APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY SEALING CARTONS Original Filed Nov. 6, 1961 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 ae-z 30 3 za sa Z7 1N ENTORS JOSEPH A. ILLER FRANK Q` KRUGLINSKI aTTo NES/5 Nov. 28, 1967 J. A. MILLER ET AL 3,354,606

APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY SEALING CARTONS Original Filed Nov. 6, 1961 8 Sheets-Sheei. 3

I IAAI H. .n 1 um... r

i i` w n1 d INVENTORS JOSEPH H. MILLER FfeBNK H KRUGLINSKI HTTO E YS Nov. 28, 1967 1. A. MILLER ET Al. 3,354,606

APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY SEALING CARTONS Original Filed Nov. 6, 1961 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS JOSEPH H. MILLER FRIQNK Q. KRUGLINSKI @c HTTQ v5 Nov. 28, 1967 J. A. MILLER ET AL APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY SEALING CARTONS 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Nov. 6, 1961 INV NTORS H.

Q gli: fin

'ATT News Nov. 28, 1967 1. A. MILLER ET'AL APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY SEALING CARTONS 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed Nov. 6, 1961 ""Hllm| IHM,

JOSEPH A. M|LLE2 FRANK A K RUQUNSKI fwuh A -g--mv ATTOR' E YS INVENTORS Nov. 28, 1967 JQA. MILLER ET AL 3,354,606

APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY SEALING CARTONS Original Filed Nov. 6, 1961 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTORS JOSEPH H. MILLER FBFANK Q, KEUGLINSKI TTO NE V5 Nov. 2s, 1967 J. A. MILLER E+ A'L 3,354,606

APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY SEALING CARTONS Original Filed Nov. 6, 1961 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 I 1 o- '-l NQ n Irl "F QV N L INVENTORS 0 JOSEPH A. MlLLEre @x2/661K A. KRUGLINSK:

TTORNEYS United States Patent Gfice 3,354,665 Patented Nov. 28, 1967 3,354,606 APPARATUS FR AUTOMATICALLY SEALING CARTNS Joseph A. Miller, Englewood, and Frank A. Kruglinski, North Bergen, NJ., assignors to General Corrugated Machinery Co., Inc., Palisades Park, NJ., a corporation of New .Iersey @riginal application Nov. 6, 1961, Ser. No. 150,236. Divided and this application .lune 28, 1966, Ser. No. 561,258

'7 Claims. (Cl. 53-76) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLSURE Apparatus for glue-sealing tlapped cartons having a frame, a conveyor within the frame and the following elements aiiixed to the frame: means for selectively applying wet glue to one of the flaps of the carton, means for selectively applying quick-setting plastic adhesive to one of the tiaps of the carton, means for folding the aps such that the wet glue and the quick setting plastic adhesive lie between the folded flaps, and means for holding the folded carton closed until the quick setting adhesive sets, the conyeyor moving the cartons such that the foregoing means act on the cartons as the cartons move along the conveyor` This application is a division of our copending application, Serial No. 150,236, tiled Novemberl 6, 1961, now abandoned.

Our invention relates to apparatus for automatically glue-sealing cartons. In particular, our invention is directed toward providing apparatus for glue-sealing cartons in which only a very short compression section (one foot or less) is required in order to accomplish the sealing.

The prior art glue-sealing techniques have all required a long compression distance within which the cartons were held closed until the glue, which had been applied to the carton aps, was able to set. This presented two inherent disadvantages: first, the sealing machine took up very many feet of valuable floor space in the packaging room; and second, an undesirable length of time was consumed in the sealing process between filling the carton with product and shipping the sealed carton from the packaging room. Both of these disadvantages are related since the carton had to be held under compression for a sufficient length of time to permit the glue to set. If space is saved by setting up a small compression region, the packaging machine must run slowly enough to permit each carton to be under compression for a sufficient length of time. If the machine is made to run at normal folding and gluing velocities, the machine must be made large enough to keep each carton in the compression region for a sufiicient length of time.

Experts in the packaging field have sought a solution to the problems presented by the prior art disadvantages for a considerable period of time. Accordingly, it is an important object of our invention to provide apparatus for glue-sealing cartons which is simple and economical.

It is a further object of our invention to provide apparatus for glue-sealing cartons in which a very short compression section is required.

It is a still further object of our invention to provide apparatus for glue-sealing cartons wherein the carton flaps are held closed initially by means of a quick setting plastic adhesive which melts upon being heated.

These and other objects, advantages, features and uses will be apparent during the course of the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE l is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of carton scaling machine suitable for carrying out the method ofthe invention;

FIGURE 2 is an end elevational View seen in the direction of arrow 2 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view along the lines 3 3 of FIGURE l, viewed in the direction ofthe arrows;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional View along the lines 4-4 of FIGURE 3, viewed in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view along the lines 5-5 of FIGURE 3, viewed in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the wet glue applicators used in the machine of FIGURE l et seq;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the quick setting plastic adhesive applicators used in the machine of FIGURE l et seq. along with adjacent structure;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view showing one of the quick setting plastic adhesive applicators and adjacent structure;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged horizontal Sectional view showing one of the quick setting plastic adhesive applicators and guides;

FIGURE l() is a perspective view of a carton showing the position of the treatment applied to the inner surfaces of the flaps and the folding order; and

FIGURE ll is an enlarged horizontal sectional View showing the side folders and compression section of the machine of FIGURE l et seq.

Broadly, our invention provides a method for holding the carton flaps closed until the wet glue (such as those of dextrin or resin) sets. The product-filled cartons, which are to be sealed, are fed to the apparatus and wet glue is selectively applied to the upper (or outer) surfaces of the folded end flaps of the cartons. A quick setting plastic adhesive is selectively applied to the inner (or lower) surfaces of the side flaps of the cartons. The side flaps are folded down and the cartons are moved through the compression section to permit the quick setting plastic adhesive to bond the folded side flaps to the folded end flaps. The cartons are then discharged from the apparatus. The quick setting plastic adhesive holds the flaps bonded together until the wet glue sets.

We have found that machines utilizing the teachings of our invention are more economical than those which only use either wet glue or quick setting plastic adhesive. If only wet glues are used, the cartons must be held in compression for a considerable period of time in order to permit the glue to set. If only quick setting plastic adhesives are used, the cost of the adhesive is too expensive.

In the drawings, wherein, for` the purpose of illustration, is shown a preferred embodiment of glue-sealing apparatus of our invention, the numeral 20 designates the frame of the device. Carriage 39 is mounted within frame 2) and is vertically adjustable within frame 20 by means of screws 4G. A pair (right and left) of wet glue applicators d4 are -mounted on carriage 39 and are laterally adjustable with respect thereto.

Subcarriage 43 is vertically adjustable within carriage 39 by means of adjustment screws 58. A pair (right and left) of quick setting plastic adhesive applicators are mounted on subcarriage 43 and are laterally adjustable by means of set screws 91.

Side rails 30 are adjusted laterally to accommodate the width of the cartons being sealed. The product-filled cartons are fed onto the apparatus from inclined conveyor 11() (FIGURE 3) or a similar feed system onto indexing roller 28 which rotates at a slower velocity than the forward velocity of conveyor Z1. In this manner, the cartons are spaced apart on the conveyor 21 and permit the various operations to be performed on successive cartons without interference.

As the carton proceeds on the conveyor, the end flaps are folded down and the wet glue is applied to both sides of the upper surfaces of the end aps so that when the side flaps are folded down there wiil be glue between both side flaps and both end aps. Quick setting plastic adhesive is selectively applied to the inner surfaces of the side flaps so that when the flaps are folded down the adhesive will be between both side flaps and both end flaps. Space, to which no adhesive is applied, is left near the centerline ofthe carton so that no adhesive will be pressed against the product carried by the carton.

The side flaps are folded down by means of camming belts 47 and the carton moves through compression section 50. Compression section 50 will perform satisfactorily if it is as little as one foot in length.

At a conveyor speed of about 140' per minute and a sprocket ratio of 2 to l, an indexing roller 2% inches in diameter will produce a carton spacing of from 6" to 8". The spacing increases in direct relationship with the length of the carton.

Motor 22 drives conveyor 21 by means of sprockets 24 and 25 and chain 23. Sprocket 24 is mounted on the same shaft as roller 24A which moves the belt of conveyor 21. Adjustable take-up 21A is provided to remove any slack in the conveyor belt. Roller 26A and sprocket 26 are mounted on a common shaft. Indexing roller 28 is mounted on a common shaft with sprocket 27 and is rotated by means of sprockets 26 and 27 and chain 29. Side rails 30 are held in place by nuts 31 and 31A, the detailed operation and structure of which will be described later in this specification.

Switches 32 are mounted on the side rails and are designated 32-1, 32-2 etc. in accordance with the order in which they act on the cartons. The switches are movable longitudinally along the side rails depending on the size and structure of the cartons being sealed. The detailed operation of the switches will be covered further on in this description. Belt 33 is utilized to fold the cartons end aps and it moves in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIGURE l. Belt 33 is moved by means of motor 34, sprockets 35 and 36 and chain 37. Bar 38 serves to hold the end flaps in position after they have been folded down.

Carriage 39 is vertically adjustable with respect to frame 20 by means of screws 40 which are threaded into nuts 40A which are mounted on carriage 39. The movement of all four screws 40 is controlled by handle 41 which is adapted to rotate worms 56. A pair of worms 56 are a part of shaft 66 and there are two such shafts mounted on frame 20. Each worm 56 acts on a worm wheel 55 to move a screw 40 into and out of its mated nut 40A. The two shafts 66 are ganged together by means of chain 42.

Subcarriage 43 is mounted on carriage 39 and is vertically adjustable with respect thereto by means of wheels 46 which control screws 58. Screws 58 are threaded into nuts 74 which are mounted on carriage 39 (FIGURE 7). Wheels 46 are ganged by means of chains 46A (FIG- URE 8). A pair of quick setting plastic adhesive applicators 111 is mounted on subcarriage 43 and are laterally adjustable with respect thereto by means of set screws 91. Motor 45 and gear reduction box 45A are mounted on carriage 39 and are used in conjunction with quick setting plastic adhesive applicators 111.

Wet glue applicators 44 are mounted on carriage 39 and are laterally movable with respect thereto by means of set screws 61. Camming belts 47 are used to fold down the side aps of the carton. Camming belt 47 is driven by drive 49 and rolls around roller 93 which is mounted in support 48. Compression section t) is driven by motor 51, sprockets 52 and 54 and chain 53. Camming belt drive 49 is also driven by motor 51, the details of which will be set forth later in the specification.

Side rails 30 are laterally adjustable within frame 20. Screws 57 are affixed to side rails 30 as shown in FIG- URES 2, 3 and 5. Side rails 30 are held in position by tightening nuts 31 and 31A so that the nuts rest snugly against bushing 92 which is affixed to frame 20. To move a side rail 30, a nut 31 or 31A at each end of the rail is loosened, the rail is moved to its desired location and the nuts are tightened. Screw 57 is free to slide within bushing 92 when nuts 31 or 31A are loosened.

Indexing roller 28 rotates at a slower velocity than the forward velocity of conveyor 21 so that the cartons tend to stay on the indexing roller for suiiicient time to permit the cartons to be spaced apart on the conveyor (FIGURES 3 and 4). Roller 26A and sprocket 26 are mounted on a common shaft so that they both rotate when conveyor 21 is moved due to the operation of motor 22. Sprocket 26 is connected to sprocket 27 by means of chain 29. Sprocket 27 and indexing roller 28 are mounted on a common shaft so that the rotation of roller 26A causes indexing roller 28 to rotate. Sprocket 27 is of a larger diameter than sprocket 26 to make indexing roller 28 rotate slower than roller 26A whose velocity is the same as that of the conveyor 21. If the indexing roller 28 operated at the same velocity as that of roller 26A, the carton spacing on conveyor 21 would be the same as that which existed on the feed to the apparatus. This would not permit conveyor 110 (FIGURE 3) to carry the cartons in contact with each other. If the indexing roller 28, rotated faster than roller 26A, the cartons woud be fed onto conveyor 21 too fast and they would pile up and jam together.

There is a pair of wet glue applicators 44 mounted on carriage 39. One is adapted to apply glue to the right side of the upper surfaces of the end flaps and the other is for the left side. Glue from reservoir 59 (FIGURES 1 and 2) is fed under pressure through ya hose (not shown) to hose connection 63 (FIGURE 6). Glue from the reservoir enters pipe `64 which terminates at one end in block 67. The other end of pipe 64 terminates in flexible joint 65 within which there is contained an internally mounted valve. The valve is opened upon pressure being exerted on spreader 62 which is afixed to flexible joint 65.

Carriage 69 may be moved laterally on carriage 39 and is locked in position by means of set screw 61. This permits the user of the apparatus to set the positions in which the wet glue is applied to the end flaps. Cylinder 72 is electrically lactuated and causes its piston to move in the direction of the -arrows of FIGURE 6. Pivoted arm 70 is moved above pivot 71 which is mounted to depending arm 68. Depending arm 68 is held in fixed position with respect to carriage v69. Upper end pivot 73 connects pivoted arm 70 to the piston of cylinder 72.

When the piston moves into the cylinder 72, pivoted arm 70 is moved toward cylinder 72 at upper end pivot 73 and spreader 62 is moved down to the dotted position of FIGURE 6. This is the applying position in which the spreader is in contact with the folded end flap of the carton. When the piston moves out of cylinder 72, upper end pivot 73 is moved away from the cylinder 72 and spreader 62 is lifted olf the carton. The operation of cylinder 72 is electrically controlled. Spreader 62 may be of any convenient size and shape and is removable for easy interchangeability (details not shown). Other wet glue applicators may also be used such as the one described in U.S. Patent 2,898,816, issued August l1, 1959 to Keely.

In FIGURES 7, 8 and 9 there are shown the detailed structure of one of the quick setting plastic adhesive applicators 111. It is seen to comprise Amotor 45, gear reducer 45A, gear reducer chain feed 75, shaft 76 on which is mounted vsprocket 77, chain 78, shaft 79 on which is mounted sprocket 80, and electrically operated clutch 81. Cylinder 82 is electrically actuated so as to move piston 83 into and out of cylinder 82. The movement of piston 83 moves yoke 84 to which is attached vertical pivot arm 85. The movement of pivot arm 85 about pivot 86, which is affixed to subcarriage 43, rnoves inside arms 87 and 88 so that the side flap of the carton is =moved into and out of lContact with wheel 90 which is mounted within chamber 89 on shaft 76. When the side flap is in contact with wheel 90, heated quick setting plastic adhesive is applied to the side flap.

Motor 45 runs all the time that the apparatus is on so it can be seen that wheel 90 rotates at all times. Feed of quick setting plastic adhesive string 60 into chamber S9 is started when clutch 81 is engaged and is stopped when the clutch is disengaged. Chamber 89 is equipped with heating coils (not shown) which melt the adhesive before it is applied to the side ilaps by wheel 90.

Motor 51 runs all the time that the apparatus is on and thereby rotates the Vrollers of compression section 50 and runs camniing and folding belts 47. Roller 94 and sprocket 54 are mounted on a common shaft. Motor 51 rotates sprocket S4 and roller 94 through sprocket 52 and chain 53. Roller 94 is coupled to roller 96 through chain 9S, roller 96 is coupled to roller 98 through chain 97, and roller 98 is coupled to rollers 105 thr-o-ugh chain 99. Rollers 105 are mounted on a common shaft and transimit power to shaft 107 of camming 'beltdn've 49 through chain 106. Shaft 107 is mounted in universal joints 108 and the camming belt drive is mounted in `bearings 109. Camming belts 47 are supported between the camming belt drive and camming belt rollers 93.

In FIGURE 10 we have illustrated carton 100 showing the portion of the wet glue and quick setting plastic adhesive on the flaps and the order in which the flaps are closed. Flap 101 is the leading end flap and wet glue is applied to its upper surface as at 101A (left) and 101B (right). Flap 101 is vfolded down first.V Flap 102, the trailing end flap, is folded down next and wet glue is Iapplied thereto at 102A (left) and` 102B (right). Quick setting plastic adhesive is applied to the inner surfaces of side flaps `103 and 104 at 103A and 104A (leading) and 103B and 104B (trailing) and side iiaps 103 and104 are folded down simultaneously.

Motorsr 22, 45 and 51 operate continuously and motor 34 operates on a controlled basis las will appear from the following description of the operation of switches 32-1 through 32-9. The equipment is turned on from a master switch. (not shown). and the continuously operating motors start running. The cartons are fed over indexing roller 28 onto conveyor 21 from inclined carton feed 110. As the carton proceeds along conveyor 21, the leading end ap 101 hits belt 33 and the Iupwardly inclined portion of hold down bar 38. This moves the ilap down and it is held down by bar 38.

The leading edge of carton 100 now hits switch 32-1 which closes the circuit to motor 34 and starts belt 33. Belt 33 runs `faster than conveyor 21 so that trailing end flap 102 is folded down. Switch 32-1 opens after it clears the carton.

The leading edge of the carton next hits switch 32-2 which actuates Icylinder 72 and moves spreaders 62 into contact with -folded end flap 101. Upon reaching switch 32-3, cylinders 72 are deactuated thereby lifting spreaders 62 off the carton.`This prevents the glue from being applied to the product in the carton.

The side iiaps 103 yand 104 have been mechanically guided between arms 87 and 88 and when the carton hits switch 32-4, clutch 81 is engaged and quick setting plastic adhesive string 60 is fed into chamber 89 and is melted by the heating coils. The softened `adhesive is now applied to the leading portions of flaps 103 and 104 at 103A and 104A.

At switch 32-5 the spreaders 62 are placed in contact with trailing rear flap 102 yand wet glue areas 102A and 102B are applied to the flap 102. At switch 32-6 cylinder 82 is actuated and inside arms 88 push the side flaps out of Contact with wheels 90. This prevents the adhesive from 'being applied to portions of the side flaps which rest directly on the product.

Switch 32-7 releases `cylinder 82 so that inside arms 88 are .-rnoved out of contact with the side iiaps and the side flaps are put back in contact with wheels 90. This yaction applies the quick setting plastic adhesive to the rear portions of the side flaps as at 103B and 104B.

At switch 32-8, the spreaders are moved out of contact with trailing end iiap 102 and at switch 32-9, clutch 81 is disengaged and the feed of quick setting plastic adhesive string 60 to chamber 89 is stopped.

Carton now moves under camming belts 47 which fold down side iiaps 103 and 104. The folded carton next proceeds to compression section 50 through which it moves to cause the quick setting plastic adhesive to bond the aps. The cartons are delivered from the apparatus and the flaps are held closed by the quick setting plastic adhesive until the wet glue sets.

It can be seen that the compression section size and holding time are much reduced over those required when only wet glue is used. Moreover, the invention permits more economical sealing than is possible with the use of quick setting plastic adhesive alone.

While we have disclosed our invention in relation to a specific example and in a specic embodiment, we do not wish to be limited thereto, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of our invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for glue-sealing flapped cartons comprising:

a frame;

a conveyor within the frame; and the following elements aiiixed to the frame;

means for selectively applying wet glue to one of the flaps of the carton;

means for selectively applying quick setting plastic adhesive to one of the flaps of the carton;

means for folding the aps such that the wet glue and the quick setting plastic adhesive lie between the folded iiaps;

means for holding the folded carton closed until the quick setting plastic adhesive sets;

said conveyor moving the cartons such that the foregoing means act on the cartons as the cartons move along said conveyor.

2. The apparatus as described in claim 1 including:

means for feeding cartons onto the conveyor in spaced relationship;

means for folding down the leading end flap of the carmeans for folding down the trailing end ap of the carton; and

means for folding down the side flaps of the carton;

the wet glue and quick setting plastic adhesive being applied such that they lie between the folded down end llaps and the overlying side flaps.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the wet glue is applied to the upper 4surfaces of the end flaps of the carton and the quick setting plastic adhesive is applied to the lower surfaces of the side iiaps of the carton.

4. Apparatus for glue-sealing liapped cartons comprising:

a frame;

a conveyor within said frame;

means for moving said conveyor;

a roller coupled to said conveyor such that said roller rotates at a slower speed than that at which said conveyor moves;

means for folding down the leading end ap of the carton;

means for folding down the trailing end flap of the carton;

a pair of wet glue applicators within said frame placed such that glue is applied to the upper surfaces of the folded end flaps of the carton;

means for controlling the areas at which said wet glue applicators apply wet glue to the upper surfaces of the folded end flaps of the carton;

a pair of quick setting plastic adhesive applicators Within said frame placed such that quick setting plastic adhesive is applied to the inner surfaces of the side iiaps ofthe carton;

means for controlling the areas at which said quick setting plastic adhesive applicators apply quick setting plastic adhesive to the inner surfaces of the side flaps of the carton;

means for folding down the side flaps of the carton;

means for holding the folded carton closed until the quick setting plastic adhesive sets; said conveyor moving the cartons such that the foregoing elements act on the cartons as the cartons move along the conveyor.

5. Apparatus for glue-sealing apped cartons as described in claim 4 including:

a pair of adjustable side rails adjacent the conveyor adapted to be set to accommodate cartons of varying widths;

a carriage within the frame and movable with respect thereto;

said Wet glue applicators and said quick setting plastic adhesive applicators being mounted on said carriage;

means for adjusting the positions of said wet glue applicators and said quick setting plastic adhesive applicators with respect to said carriage.

6. Apparatus for glue-sealing iiapped cartons as de scribed in claim 5 including:

a first switch for actuating said means for folding the trailing end flap of the carton;

a pair of first controllers affixed to said wet glue applicators adapted to move said wet glue applicators into and out of contact with the upper surfaces of said folded end aps;

a second switch for actuating said pair of first controllers such that said wet glue applicators are in contact with the upper surface of the leading folded end flap;

a third switch for actuating said pair of first controllers such that said wet glue applicators are out of contact with the carton;

a pair of second controllers;

a heating chamber for softening and storing the quick setting plastic adhesive;

two sets of side flap guides; said pair of second controllers being adapted to move said sets of side flap guides such that said quick setting plastic adhesive applicators are in and out of contact with the inner surfaces of the side tiaps of the carton;

a fourth switch for actuating the flow of quick setting plastic adhesive into said heating chamber and onto the leading portions of the side flaps;

a fifth switch for actuating said pair of first controllers such that said wet glue applicators are in contact with the upper surface of the trailing folded end ap;

a sixth switch for actuating said pair of second controllers such that said quick setting plastic adhesive applicators are moved out of contact with the inner surfaces of said side flaps;

a seventh switch for actuating said pair of second controllers such that said quick setting plastic adhesive applicators are moved into contact with the inner surfaces of said side flaps;

an eighth switch for actuating said pair of first controllers such that said Wet glue applicators are moved out of contact with the trailing end flap of the carton;

a ninth switch for stopping the flow of said quick setting plastic adhesive into said heating chamber.

7. Apparatus for glue-sealing flapped cartons as described in claim 4 including:

a first switch for actuating said means for folding the trailing end flap of the carton;

a pair of first controllers affixed to said Wet glue applicators adapted to move said wet glue applicators into and out of contact with the upper surfaces of said folded end flaps;

a second switch for actuating said pair of first controllers such that said wet glue applicators are in contact with the upper surface of the leading folded end ap;

a third switch for actuating said pair of first controllers such that said wet glue applicators are out of contact with the carton;

a pair of second controllers;

a heating chamber for softening and storing the quick setting plastic adhesive;

two sets of side flap guides; said pair of second controllers being adapted to move said sets of side iiap guides such that said quick setting plastic adhesive applicators are in and out of contact withthe inner surfaces of the side iiaps of the carton;

a fourth switch for actuating the ow of quick setting plastic adhesive into said heating chamber and onto the leading portions of the side flaps;

a fifth switch for actuating said pair of first controllers such that said wet glue applicators are -in contact with the upper surface of the trailing folded end ap;

a sixth switch for actuating said pair of second controllers Vsuch that said quick setting plastic adhesive applicators are moved out of contact with the inner surfaces of said side flaps;

a seventh switch for actuating said pair of second controllers such that said quick setting plastic adhesive applicators are moved into contact with the inner surfaces of said side flaps;

anfeighth switch for actuating said pair of first controllers such that said wet glue applicators are moved out of contact with the trailing end flap of the carton;

a ninth switch for stopping the ow of said quick setting plastic adhesive into said heating chamber.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS BERNARD STICKNEY, Primary Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS FOR GLUE-SEALING FLAPPED CARTONS COMPRISING: A FRAME; A CONVEYOR WITHIN THE FRAME; AND THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS AFFIXED TO THE FRAME; MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY APPLYING WET GLUE TO ONE OF THE FLAPS OF THE CARTON; MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY APPLYING QUICK SETTING PLASTIC ADHESIVE TO ONE OF THE FLAPS OF THE CARTON; 